Faye absolutely adores this song. I think it’s in part because I love singing it to her. We actually started off singing it in German, as my husband first recalled it from a Sesame Street skit, but I found it easier to sing it in English (go figure).

Come in
Well, well, well, look who’s here
I haven’t seen you in many a year

If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
baked a cake, baked a cake
If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
Had you dropped me a letter, I’d a-hired a band
Grandest band in the land
Had you dropped me a letter, I’d a-hired a band
And spread the welcome mat for you

Oh, I don’t know where you came from
’cause I don’t know where you’ve been
But it really doesn’t matter
Grab a chair and fill your platter
And dig, dig, dig right in

If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
Hired a band, goodness sake
If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do

[Instrumental Interlude]

If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
baked a cake, baked a cake
If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do

Had you dropped me a letter
I’d a-hired a band
Grandest band in the land
Had you dropped me a letter
I’d a-hired a band
Spread the welcome mat for you

Oh, I don’t know where you came from
‘Cause I don’t know where you’ve been
But it really doesn’t matter
Grab a chair and fill your platter
And dig, dig, dig right in

If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
Hired a band, goodness sake
If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do

Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
Howd-ya do-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

And the German…

Hätt ich dich heut erwartet,
hätt ich Kuchen da,
Kuchen da,
Kuchen da.
Hätt ich dich heut erwartet,
hätt ich Kuchen da.
Na wie gehts, na wie stehts, na wie gehts….

Hättst du nur was gesagt,
hätt ich Musik bestellt,
die besten Musikanten von der Welt!
Hättst du nur was gesagt,
hätt ich Musik bestellt,
und dich empfangen mit Traraaa!